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If material on the EPA's Sample List of Suspect Asbestos-Containing Materials Exit Ecology was manufactured with asbestos in the past, it is best to assume that it contains asbestos, unless testing, the date of manufacture, the label, or the manufacturer verifies that it does not. A material may be presumed to be asbestos and treated as though it contained asbestos without being tested or surveyed.

"In the absence of a survey or if one cannot safely be performed, all surfacing materials and thermal system insulation in building constructed no later than 1980 must be presumed to contain asbestos." Labor and Industries/ WISHA Interim Interpretive Memorandum #99-1-C, January 19, 1999, Demolition of Buildings With Asbestos-Containing Materials.

• List of Asbestos Abatement Contractors Certified by the Dept of Labor & Industries Exit Ecology
• Directory of Laboratories Accredited to Perform Asbestos Fiber Analysis by the Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) Test Method Exit Ecology

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The following guidance is from the Environmental Protection Agency booklet, Asbestos in Your Home Exit Ecology prepared by the American Lung Association, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and the EPA.

• For more information call the CPSC Hotline at 1-800-638-CPSC. A teletypewriter (TTY) for the hearing impaired is available at 1-800-638-8270.
• The  website address for the booklet is http://www.epa.gov/iedweb00/pubs/asbestos.html Exit Ecology

Before taking an asbestos sample, call the laboratory that will run the test for advice about the sampling procedure, the amount needed and the container to use. 

"You can't tell whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it, unless it is labeled. If in doubt, treat the material as if it contains asbestos or have it sampled and analyzed by a qualified professional. A professional should take samples for analysis, since a professional knows what to look for, and because there may be an increased health risk if fibers are released. In fact, if done incorrectly, sampling can be more hazardous than leaving the material alone. Taking samples yourself is not recommended. If you nevertheless choose to take the samples yourself, take care not to release asbestos fibers into the air or onto yourself. Material that is in good condition and will not be disturbed (by remodeling, for example) should be left alone. Only material that is damaged or will be disturbed should be sampled. Anyone who samples asbestos-containing materials should have as much information as possible on the handling of asbestos before sampling, and at a minimum, should observe the following procedures:

• Make sure no one else is in the room when sampling is done.
• Wear disposable gloves or wash hands after sampling.
• Shut down any heating or cooling systems to minimize the spread of any released fibers.
• Do not disturb the material any more than is needed to take a small sample.
• Place a plastic sheet on the floor below the area to be sampled.
• Wet the material using a fine mist of water containing a few drops of detergent before taking the sample. The water/detergent mist will reduce the release of asbestos fibers.
• Carefully cut a piece from the entire depth of the material using, for example, a small knife, corer, or other sharp object. Place the small piece into a clean container (for example, a 35 mm film canister, small glass or plastic vial, or high quality re-sealable plastic bag).
• Tightly seal the container after the sample is in it.
• Carefully dispose of the plastic sheet. Use a damp paper towel to clean up any material on the outside of the container or around the area sampled. Dispose of asbestos materials according to state and local procedures.
• Label the container with an identification number and clearly state when and where the sample was taken.
• Patch the sampled area with the smallest possible piece of duct tape to prevent fiber release."

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Asbestos fibers cannot be seen without a special microscope. Analysis by an accredited testing laboratory is the only way to know for certain whether a material contains asbestos.

The EPA requires that the asbestos content of suspect materials be determined by analyzing samples with polarized light microscopy (PLM). PLM analysis results give the percent and type of asbestos in the sample. The asbestos content of manufactured items ranges from one percent to 100 percent.

The major forms of asbestos used commercially were chrysotile, amosite and crocidolite. Tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite are of less commercial value. Asbestos containing materials (ACM) are mixtures of individual asbestos fibers and binding material.

• Chrysotile is the most common type of asbestos found in buildings. Also known as "white asbestos," chrysotile makes up approximately 90%-95% of all asbestos contained in buildings in the United States.
• Amosite is the second most prevalent type of asbestos found in building materials. Amosite is also known as "brown asbestos."
• Crocidolite or "blue asbestos," is found in specialized high temperature applications.

Send asbestos samples to an EPA-approved laboratory for analysis.

Directory of Laboratories Accredited to Perform Asbestos Fiber Analysis by the Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) Test Method Exit Ecology , The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) , National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP)

• Send E-Mail to NVLAP at: NVLAP@nist.gov
• NVLAP Telephone: 301-975-4016

Other laboratories are listed in the Yellow Pages under "Laboratories, Analytical" and "Asbestos".

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